Combat Helicopters

The greatest advantage of the helicopter is that troops can be dropped quickly into enemy territory and just as quickly rescued. Helicopters were used as transporters in both WW2 and the Korean War – although capabilities were limited. In the past, combat helicopters were extremely vulnerable to being shot down and much of the technological development of military helicopters has revolved around making them less vulnerable to enemy fire and radar detection.

Today’s combat helicopters are formidable machines. The Apache Longbow is the most lethal helicopter ever built - its gun can fire over 600 rounds a minute and the radar can see through all weather conditions.

The Apache Longbow’s fuselage is designed to protect the crew in crashes sustained at up to 42 feet per second and its guided missiles can destroy tanks and enemy bases. The Apache Longbow is enduringly popular and there are currently over 800 in use around the world.

The future of the combat helicopter can be seen in the development of the US Army’s Comanche. Dubbed the world’s most advanced helicopter, the Comanche can cruise at an amazing 165 knots and fly backwards, or sideways, at up to 70 mph. It can retract its missiles to give it the appearance of a non-combat helicopter and program each missile with an automatic flight target.

The Comanche pilot’s helmet contains flight information, night vision sensors and a weapon target sight system. Although the Comanche promised to revolutionise the battlefield, the US Government cancelled its $14 billion order in 2004 to concentrate on building up other areas of its combat helicopter fleet.